Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824, 1895-1941
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STEG, v.2, n.3 Also stegg, staig, †staug (Jam.). [steg]
I. v. To walk with long, heavy steps, to stride, stalk, prowl (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 40; m.Lth., Lnk., sm.Sc. 1971). Also in n.Eng. dial.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 311:
His ghaist was seen by many stegging about the estate.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags xix.:
Auld Anton went stegging over the hills.Kcb. 1941 Gallovidian 11:
The plooman clad in glaury leggin' Like a half-felled sookin' calf gangs steggin'.
II. n. A slow heavy step (Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 40).
[Prob. a variant of Staik, id., but with influence from Steg, n.2 Cf. Ganner, v., for sim. semantic development.]
